National Security

Pat Meehan (R)

The single most urgent issue facing our nation is the safety and security of Americans at home and around the world. As a former United States Attorney sworn in just days after September 11, 2011, I saw the terror threat to our region up close. I served as a key leader on the House Homeland Security Committee in my first two terms in Congress, particularly on topics like cybersecurity and counterterrorism. As the Chairman of the House Cybersecurity Subcommittee, I authored legislation that updated the Department of Homeland Security’s cybersecurity strategy and strengthened our infrastructure against attack. I’ve also been an outspoken opponent of our dangerous and flawed deal with Iran, authoring a bill that would have required Iran to compensate victims of its terrorism before it reaped the benefit of billions of dollars in sanctions relief. And when our brave men and women come home they deserve the best care our nation can offer for their sacrifices. That means more accountability at the VA, shorter wait times, and access to high-quality care.

Mary Ellen Balchunis (D)

Keeping Americans safe is one of the most serious responsibilities placed on our elected representatives. As we have seen too often in recent years, terrorism poses a unique threat that cannot be met without a comprehensive framework. While we must continue to strengthen relationships with foreign allies to oppose threats from abroad, we also need change within our borders. When a suspected terrorist who is banned from flying can still legally purchase a high-capacity assault weapon, we are not fulfilling our responsibility at home. That’s why I am a proud supporter of HR 1076, the “No fly, no buy” bill, that would keep dangerous weapons out of the hands of suspected terrorists.

Immigration

Pat Meehan (R)

Our immigration system is broken. Fixing it starts with securing our border. Since coming to Congress I have worked with my colleagues to increase funding for border security to deter and prevent individuals from coming into our country illegally. Congress has an important role to conduct oversight of federal agencies to ensure that our immigration laws are closely enforced. This strategy should include barring any federal funds to cities that are not willing to enforce our immigration laws – also known as Sanctuary Cities. This flawed idea creates a safe haven for repeat offenders that are a threat to the safety of our neighborhoods. We are a nation of immigrants, and immigrants of all heritage have a rich and proud tradition of contribution to American society. But we are also a nation of laws, and those laws need to be respected and enforced. We need to ensure we have a working immigration system, and that means an effective system to ensure legal immigration and to enforce our borders – not amnesty that encourages future lawbreaking. A nation that cannot defend its own borders will not long be a nation.

Mary Ellen Balchunis (D)

I understand that the immigrant story is at the heart of the American Dream. I remember my grandparents, who came to America from Lithuania without speaking the English language, but with a desire for a better life and the work ethic to see it realized. When elected, I will fight for immigration reform that empowers people like my grandparents to build lives and raise families here in America. Any lasting reform must balance three priorities: securing our borders, bringing workers out of the shadows and into the protection of labor and employment laws, and keeping families intact.

Healthcare

Pat Meehan (R)

Access to high-quality, affordable medical care is out of reach for far too many Pennsylvania families today. Obamacare has made it worse, and though Congress has been able to notch some meaningful wins against it – delaying the job-killing medical device tax, for example – it continues to send premiums higher and make it harder to see the doctors of your choice. My focus is on how to make health insurance accessible and affordable for individuals who today fall through the cracks: not covered by employer-based insurance, and not eligible for Medicaid or Medicare. We should focus on common-sense solutions that put patients back in charge of their care, like letting small businesses pool together for coverage and letting insurance plans compete across state lines. This will allow greater variability in benefits offered in health insurance plans so individuals can purchase an appropriate amount of coverage for themselves and their family.

Mary Ellen Balchunis (D)

While I celebrate the Affordable Care Act for addressing system problems in our health insurance marketplace that had been ignored for too long, there is much work to be done. We must address the skyrocketing premiums and rising deductibles that are holding back working families and small businesses, that’s why I support the Health Insurance Rate Review Act (HR 3727), which would allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to block or modify unreasonable increases in states where regulators lack the power to do so. Unlike others, my only solution to rising costs isn’t to eliminate all of the Affordable Care Act’s gains as well. I will stand up against efforts to repeal the ACA and take our country back to a time when insurers were allowed to discriminate against women, cancel policies on sick people, deny coverage due to preexisting conditions, and lead tens of thousands of Americans into bankruptcy annually.

Climate Change

Pat Meehan (R)

Climate change is significant challenge, and we need Republicans and Democrats in Congress to work together to address it in a way that protects jobs and economic growth while leaving to our kids and grandkids a safe, livable planet. As a member of the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus, I’ve worked with like-minded lawmakers to craft solutions that will stem the effects of man-made climate change. As a member of the Ways and Means Committee, I have supported the expansion of tax credits and incentives for groundbreaking technologies that can be an alternative to fossil fuels. I’ve also supported actions taken by the Obama Administration to limit the emissions from all federal buildings and federal agencies. The federal government should be leading the way when it comes to reducing emissions and addressing man-made climate change.

Mary Ellen Balchunis (D)

With the past three years classified as the hottest years on record and over 97% of climate scientists in agreement on Climate Change, the time to act is now. Green and sustainable energy is the only long-term energy solution that will allow the American economy to grow without worsening the problem. As America moves away from the harmful fossil fuels that pollute our environment and enrich our enemies, we must plan for the future. This means not only greater investment in clean energy technology, but also in job training and education to meet the demands for a clean energy economy.

Education

Pat Meehan (R)

A high-quality education is a critical building block for a child’s future success, but too often our kids and our teachers are let down by a broken system that just isn’t working for them. Congress took a big step forward with passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act, a landmark bipartisan reform of the 2000’s-era No Child Left Behind Act. The bill repeals the broken “adequate yearly progress” metric, reduces red tape and puts states, school boards, and parents back in charge of our kids’ education. We have eliminated the Common Core requirements on schools and reduced the federal role in elementary and secondary education, restored local control, and empowered parents. Eliminating the one-size-fits all accountability system will enable communities to shape students’ education. I’ve also introduced legislation that establishes an incentive for colleges and universities to keep costs down and direct resources to academic and instructional services by improving transparency and accountability in college spending and costs. The answer to skyrocketing tuition should not be for students to take on more loan debt or forgo a college degree.

Mary Ellen Balchunis (D)

As a former college professor, I know all about the value and increasing cost of an education in America. I understand that a great education doesn’t start with bureaucrats in Washington, but with the teachers, principals and parents who work tirelessly at the local level. That is why I am an advocate for universal Pre-K in public schools, which would both close the achievement gap and support working parents. Additionally, the government’s commitment to education can no longer end at the public high school. Today, too many students are forced to choose between a life without a degree and a life without excessive debt. I support a comprehensive approach that advances all types of students, including increased funding for community colleges, work study, and Pell grants, and reducing the interest rates on federally subsidized student loans.

Jobs

Pat Meehan (R)

Awaiting response from candidate.

Mary Ellen Balchunis (D)

For a vibrant economy, we must both incentivize growth and support our workers. I have always believed in economic growth from the ground up, which is why I am committed to reducing the burden on working families and small businesses, while making sure that the wealthiest Americans pay their fair share. Workers and their families are stronger when unions are strong and I will continue to stand by Labor to make sure that we don’t just create jobs, but lasting ones that allow workers to support their families and prepare for retirement. Also, as our national and local economy changes, workers must be able to get the training they need to compete for jobs. I will work to forge public-private partnerships with community colleges to provide low-cost job training for workers at any stage in their careers.

Safety Nets

Pat Meehan (R)

Awaiting response from candidate.

Mary Ellen Balchunis (D)

For decades Social Security and Medicare have allowed America’s seniors to retire with confidence and dignity. However, as the population grows older, the future of Social Security is under an increasing strain. Americans who have worked hard their whole lives should not have to worry about their government upholding its end of the bargain. I personally promise to preserve, update, and expand Social Security without cutting benefits or raising the retirement age. Further, I will preserve Medicare coverage for prescription drugs and increase Medicaid funding for long term care.

Political Divisiveness

Pat Meehan (R)

Awaiting response from candidate.

Mary Ellen Balchunis (D)

When over 80% of Americans disapprove of Congress, it is clearly time for a new type of representative. Unlike the career politicians who are indebted to special interests and corporate lobbyists, as an outsider I am able to prioritize my conscience and my constituents. Also, as a woman I was heartened to see that the 2013 government shutdown was ended not by party leaders, but by women on both sides of the aisle coming together when their male counterparts could not. I pledge to continue that tradition and build bridges with Republicans both in Southeastern Pennsylvania and in Washington.